"How many of you have seen sunflowers?", Richard asked the class. A number of hands shot up in the air. "That's very good! So tell me, how do they look?", asked Richard looking at the class inquisitively. "It is yellow in color", pat came the reply from Josh. "Excellent! So where did you see them Josh?", asked Richard."I have seen them at Mrs. Mason's shop. She sells flowers by the roadside", replied Josh. "Very nice! So children, open your book to page number 45. We will learn about different types of flowers today", instructed Richard as he turned to the blackboard to write the topic. Amidst the general hustle which usually follows with kids bringing out their books, Richard noticed that Adrian was sitting with the hands covering his eyes as he kept on peeping at the blackboard. "What's wrong Adrian?, asked Richard. "I am scared", replied Richard. "Scared? About what son?", Richard was bewildered. "Has anything happened?", asked Adrian, his voice quivering. "Where?", replied Richard. "Out there at the world?", replied Adrian using his hands to explain the entire universe. "No son. Nothing has happened.But what makes you think so?", asked Richard, his curiosity was peaking. "So why are you teaching us about flowers today?", asked Adrian. "And why can't I Adrian?", asked Richard. "Because flowers are bad. They are used only when the bad people attack countries and kill people. We go out and put wreaths in their memory. That's why I am scared of flowers. What if they killed Mumma and Pappa and Boxy, my rabbit?", Adrian's eyes swelled up with tears. Richard stood shell shocked for few minutes. Then he walked up to Adrian and hugged him tightly. Now the word "flower" had a completely different meaning in his life.
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